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US 5,062,935 AGranted
Method of vaporizing a sample substance
AssigneeBruker-Franzen Analytik GmbH
InventorsEdward W. Schlag, Josef Lindner, Ronald C. Beavis, Jurgen Grotemeyer
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AssigneeBruker-Franzen Analytik GmbH
InventorsEdward W. Schlag, Josef Lindner, Ronald C. Beavis, Jurgen Grotemeyer
Estimating the term…
When vaporizing a sample substance consisting of big molecules, in particular for the purpose of mass-spectroscopic examinations, the energy introduced for the vaporization process may lead to thermolytic decomposition of the sample substance. In order to prevent such decomposition, the invention proposes that the sample substance be mixed, prior to its irradiation, with a matrix material which is easily decomposed under the influence of the laser beam pulses. The matrix may consist of a material which absorbs the radiation and which is easily decomposed thermolytically, or else of a material which is permeable to laser radiation, but mixed with a metal powder. When the mixture is exposed to laser beam pulses, the instable matrix material will decompose first whereby the embedded molecules of the sample substance are set free. It is possible in this manner to prevent, practically completely, the molecules of the sample substance from being destructed. Suitable compounds for use as matrix material are, in particular, sugar, cellulose and NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 as well as polyethylene, with an admixture of gold or silver powder.
Method of vaporizing a sample substance consisting of molecules, wherein the sample substance is exposed to high-energy laser beam pulses so that the molecules at the surface of the sample substance are desorbed by the energy of the laser beam pulses to produce neutral molecules, characterized by the steps of mixing the sample substance, prior to its irradiation, with a matrix material which is easily decomposed under the influence of the laser beam pulses so that the sample substance is embedded in the matrix material and exposing the mixture comprising the sample substance and the matrix material to the laser beam pulses.
Method of vaporizing a sample substance consisting of molecules, wherein the sample substance is exposed to high-energy laser beam pulses so that the molecules at the surface of the sample substance are desorbed by the energy of the laser beam pulses to produce neutral molecules, characterized by the steps of mixing the sample substance, prior to mixing the sample substance, prior to its irradiation, with a matrix material which is easily decomposed under the influence of the laser beam pulses so that the sample substance is embedded in the matrix material, and exposing the mixture comprising the sample substance and the matrix material to the laser beam pulses and the matrix material used comprising at least one compound which absorbs light having the wavelength of the laser beam pulses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.